Australia have lodged a plea for leniency with Fifa over Tim Cahill's red card against Germany, in a bid to have him back for its third group game, against Serbia.

Cahill receives an automatic one-match ban covering Saturday's game against Ghana, but Fifa can increase the penalty.

Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley said on Wednesday that the organisation had lodged a document with Fifa arguing that a one-match penalty is sufficient.

The document includes a statement from Bastian Schweinsteiger, the German player fouled by Cahill. Schweinsteiger approached Cahill following the match and told Cahill the red card was undeserved.

Buckley said a decision was expected from Fifa on Thursday.

"Quite rightly he's somewhat disappointed. We've had a very comprehensive review of it. The team that has put the submission together has worked long and hard. We're confident that it will get a good hearing."